AIMIA boss admits awards ‘didn’t cut it’ as most attendees missed winner announcements
The new CEO of the Australian Interactive Media Industry Association (AIMIA) David Holmes has admitted last week’s awards event “didn’t cut it” after most of the 550 attendees struggled to see and hear who the winners were.
Source: AIMIA/ Facebook
As part of a move to “try something new” and inject “more camaraderie and co-operation” into the evening AIMIA had moved last Thursday’s ceremony to The Argyle bar in The Rocks, Sydney. However, fears over the weather led the audio visual team to decide to host the ceremony indoors rather than in the courtyard, as had been planned.
Because of the layout of the pub, which has low wooden beams and support pillars, most of the attendees could not see the screens, whilst the sound was not loud enough to hear any of the speeches or who had won the awards.
yeah, blame the AV guys, not the organisers for not having a plan b if the weather turns nasty.
It was the AV guys fault for choosing a venue that couldn’t hold an indoor event.
It was the AV guys fault for not wanting to having their expensive equipment damaged if it rained.
It was the AV guys fault!!! It wasn’t our fault!
The AV guys didn’t let you down. You let yourself down by planning an outdoor event without a suitable plan B if weather became an issue.
The AV guys are responsible for OH&S and very expensive equipment.
Don’t pass the blame! You are the boss – it is YOUR FAULT, YOU LET DOWN THE INDUSTRY!!!
“The AV guys really let us down.”
No David, I think you’ll find it was the budget that was your problem. If you want to have an outdoor event you need to spend more money on equipment that is designed for inclement weather. Asking your AV company to take the risk of having their equipment ruined (not to mention safety liability) is unfair and the you blaming them is even more so.
It was a bad decision to have an outdoor event without either budgeting for it or having a decent Plan B up your sleeve.
I hope they’re not named publicly because I don’t think they deserve the blame or damage to their reputation.
Also AIMIA events and talks are a bit too expensive these days, can you reduce the price please?
I think I’ve been pretty honest about the event and not hiding anything or shifting blame. For the record the plan B was planned but a/v plan B didn’t cut it. I was happy with the venue, the great food, the new format and most of all the great turn out and community atmosphere. It’s on me if it’s not 100% and that’s the focus for next year.
Having proudly produced the AIMIA Awards for 8 years, and therefore it being well known in the industry that we do, I feel compelled to point out that neither Our Friends Electric or any of our suppliers were involved in the event’s delivery this year.
Since delivering a very successful event in 2013 we were working on an outdoor execution for 2014, but, one not in the venue used and with a wet weather contingency. Having delivered three rounds of creative we were told in January that due to the need to cut costs our services were no longer required and the event was to be run in–house. A decision we respected, despite the way it was handled, as we understood it was to ensure the future of an event that is very close to our hearts.
While everyone has thrown a birthday party or two a tray of party pies and a plasma TV does not an Event Producer make. In taking ticket money from attendees or marketing and sponsorship dollars from brands you have an obligation to deliver – and if you take on the role of running the event you’re responsible for every element – including everyone’s plan B.
I hope the many friends we’ve made along the way in the digital industry continue to support AIMIA and the Awards as they are both a great industry body and platform for recognising great work. I also note the plan for next year is to integrate satellite links with other state capital cities.
We happen to produce one of the largest and most intricate satellite events in Australia – Tropfest.
Our phone number is on our website if you need a hand.
How awesome. Nice one Tim.
@David – here’s a tip: choose one of the many, many nice indoor function venues all over Sydney , and no one has to worry about the weather and move things at the last minute.
Best Wishes,
Common Sense
Inside or outside, there was no way that set up was ever going to work.
Shoulder to shoulder for the whole night, the venue was at capacity. Half in and half out, indoor or outdoor, 50% of attendees would have still missed the awards. Perfunctory, self aggrandising and without joy or any celebration the star of the show was none of the work or brilliant minds in the room, but the invisible shark. Jumped over by all on our way out, Sharky was better treated and had the most fun.
Let’s assume the AIMIAs are intended to be an interactive experience.
The first rule of producing a good interactive experience is to understand the user needs.
Putting business needs first is a noob mistake. Being cool and different is your agenda not that of the attendees. They measure success differently.
Some formats work for a reason, and if you are going for cool and different, invest in experience. @Tim makes excellent points.
Please, next time remember who and what the awards are for.
Please also do not blame others.
@david I’m really concerned that you where happy with the venue. Having attended the event with a number of colleagues and clients i can tell you it was the worst AIMIA event I have ever attended. Why does a night to celebrate the best of our industry need to be a piss up at a pub. You need to get out and talk to your members and the clients that attended to really see what they thought of the event. I for one felt embarrassed for you, Tim O’Neill, my clients, my profession and all associated with what was a disaster.
Get some class next year.
If the CEO believes that it is 100% on him why stick the knife into an unnamed bunch of AV guys, particularly as it sounds like it was due to his own cost cutting decisions? Is he new to Sydney? Did he not realise it quite often rains? Lazy.